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This paper, prepared for a 2002 conference, examines the past and present relationship between Victorian TAFE Institutes and corporate governance. A brief history of the relationship between the TAFE sector and government authority is provided, up until 1993, when Victoria's TAFE Institutes became statutory entities with self governing boards. Victorian TAFE Institutes have received widespread support in their argument for increased autonomy from Government control in matters relating to the corporate governance of their institutes. This paper explores the issues related to governance, arguing that the autonomous status of TAFE is beneficial for government, reducing its burden. Yet tension is still caused by the fact that, though calls for increased autonomy from the government continue, TAFE Institutes still retain their dependence on government funding. It is also recognised that with increased autonomy come higher levels of accountability, and this and other challenges are likely to cause continued debate in the future. In the two parts of the paper, the first examines what constitutes autonomy and good governance, while the second considers the application of a governance model in practice. It is the opinion of the author that a broader understanding of governance and autonomy as they apply to the TAFE sector is required at this time.